[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 114 (Thursday, June 15, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27404-27406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12381]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0579; Special Conditions No. 25-688-SC]


Special Conditions: Peregrine, Textron Model 650 and Beechcraft 
Model BAe.125 Series 800A Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and 
Battery Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Textron Model 650 
and Beechcraft Model BAe.125 Series 800A (Model 800A) airplanes as 
modified by Peregrine. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual 
design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in 
the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This 
design feature is rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems 
installed in the airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do 
not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design 
feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety 
standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a 
level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing 
airworthiness standards.

DATES: This action is effective on Peregrine on June 15, 2017. Send 
your comments by July 31, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2017-0579 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow the online instructions for sending 
your comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room 
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
    Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without change 
to http://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal information the 
commenter provides. Using the search function of the docket Web site, 
anyone can find and read the electronic form of all comments received 
into any FAA docket, including the name of the individual sending the 
comment (or signing the comment for an association, business, labor 
union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement can be found in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-19478).
    Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at 
http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. Follow the online instructions 
for accessing the docket or go to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of 
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nazih Khaouly, FAA, Airplane and 
Flightcrew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2432; facsimile 425-227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and 
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions is 
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay 
issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected 
airplanes.
    In addition, the substance of these special conditions has been 
published in the Federal Register for public comment in several prior 
instances with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore 
finds it unnecessary to delay the effective date, and finds good cause 
for making these special conditions effective upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by 
sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments 
reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the 
reason for any

[[Page 27405]]

recommended change, and include supporting data.
    We will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for 
comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments 
we receive.

Background

    On June 17, 2015, Peregrine applied for a supplemental type 
certificate to replace the original standby altimeter installed on the 
left side of the pilot's instrument panel in Textron Model 650 and 
Beechcraft Model 800A airplanes. These modifications include 
rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems installed in the 
Textron and Beechcraft airplanes.
    The Textron Model 650 and the Beechcraft Model 800A airplanes are 
small transport-category airplanes, each powered by two turbine 
engines.
    The Textron Model 650 airplane has a maximum takeoff weight of 
23,000 pounds, with seating for 2 crewmembers and 13 passengers.
    The Beechcraft Model 800A airplane has a maximum takeoff weight of 
31,000 pounds (modification no. 253379A), or 26,866 pounds 
(modification no. 25B047), with seating for 2 crewmembers and 15 
passengers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Peregrine must show that the Textron Model 650 and 
Beechcraft Model 800A airplanes, as changed, continue to meet the 
applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type Certificate 
nos. A9NM and A3EU, respectively, or the applicable regulations in 
effect on the date of application for the change, except for earlier 
amendments as agreed upon by the FAA.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for these airplanes, as modified by 
Peregrine, because of a novel or unusual design feature, special 
conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the models for which 
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other models included on the same type 
certificates to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, 
these special conditions would also apply to the other models under 
Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Textron Model 650 and Beechcraft Model 800A airplanes, 
as modified by Peregrine, must comply with the fuel-vent and exhaust-
emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34, and the noise-certification 
requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type 
certification basis under Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Textron Model 650 and Beechcraft Model 800A airplanes, as 
modified by Peregrine, will incorporate the following novel or unusual 
design feature:
    Installed rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems.
    A battery system consists of the battery, battery charger, and any 
protective, monitoring, and alerting circuitry or hardware inside or 
outside of the battery. It also includes vents (where necessary) and 
packaging. For the purpose of these special conditions, a battery and 
battery system are referred to as a battery.

Discussion

    Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and battery systems are 
considered to be a novel or unusual design feature in transport-
category airplanes, with respect to the requirements in Sec.  25.1353. 
This type of battery has certain failure, operational, and maintenance 
characteristics that differ significantly from those of the nickel-
cadmium and lead-acid rechargeable batteries currently approved for 
installation on transport-category airplanes. These batteries introduce 
higher energy levels into airplane systems through new chemical 
compositions in various battery-cell sizes and construction. 
Interconnection of these cells in battery packs introduces failure 
modes that require unique design considerations, such as provisions for 
thermal management.
    Special Condition 1 requires that each individual cell within a 
battery be designed to maintain safe temperatures and pressures. 
Special Condition 2 addresses these same issues but for the entire 
battery. Special Condition 2 requires the battery be designed to 
prevent propagation of a thermal event, such as self-sustained, 
uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure from one cell to 
adjacent cells.
    Special Conditions 1 and 2 are intended to ensure that the cells 
and battery are designed to eliminate the potential for uncontrollable 
failures. However, a certain number of failures will occur due to 
various factors beyond the control of the designer. Therefore, other 
special conditions are intended to protect the airplane and its 
occupants if failure occurs.
    Special Conditions 3, 9, and 10 are self-explanatory.
    Special Condition 4 clarifies that the flammable-fluid fire-
protection requirements of Sec.  25.863 apply to rechargeable lithium 
battery installations. Section 25.863 is applicable to areas of the 
airplane that could be exposed to flammable fluid leakage from airplane 
systems. Rechargeable lithium batteries contain electrolyte that is a 
flammable fluid.
    Special Condition 5 requires each rechargeable lithium battery 
installation to not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, 
equipment, or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may 
escape in such a way as to cause a major or more severe failure 
condition. Special Condition 6 requires each rechargeable lithium 
battery installation to have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect 
on airplane structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat 
it can generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells. The 
means of meeting special conditions 5 and 6 may be the same, but they 
are independent requirements addressing different hazards. Special 
Condition 5 addresses corrosive fluids and gases, whereas Special 
Condition 6 addresses heat.
    Special Conditions 7 and 8 require rechargeable lithium batteries 
to have ``automatic'' means, for charge rate and disconnect, due to the 
fast acting nature of lithium battery chemical reactions. Manual 
intervention would not be timely or effective in mitigating the hazards 
associated with these batteries.
    These conditions apply to all rechargeable lithium battery 
installations in lieu of Sec.  25.1353(c)(1) through (c)(4) at 
Amendment 25-0 (Model 650) and Amendment 25-42 (Model 800A). Section 
25.1353(c)(1) through (c)(4) will remain in effect for other battery 
installations on these airplanes.
    These special conditions contain the additional safety standards 
that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of 
safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness 
standards.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Textron Model 650 and Beechcraft Model 800A airplanes as modified by 
Peregrine. Should Peregrine apply at a later date for a supplemental 
type certificate to modify any other model included on

[[Page 27406]]

Type Certificate nos. A9NM and A3EU, respectively, to incorporate the 
same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would 
apply to those models as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature 
on two model series of airplanes. It is not a rule of general 
applicability and affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for 
approval of these features on the airplanes.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The Special Conditions

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of 
the type certification basis for Textron Model 650 and Beechcraft Model 
800A airplanes as modified by Peregrine.
    Each rechargeable lithium battery installation must:
    1. Be designed so that safe cell temperatures and pressures are 
maintained under all foreseeable operating conditions to prevent fire 
and explosion.
    2. Be designed to prevent the occurrence of self-sustaining, 
uncontrolled increases in temperature or pressure.
    3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases in normal operation, or as a 
result of its failure, that may accumulate in hazardous quantities 
within the airplane.
    4. Meet the requirements of 14 CFR 25.863.
    5. Not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, equipment, 
or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may escape in 
such a way as to cause a major or more-severe failure condition.
    6. Have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on airplane 
structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat the battery 
installation can generate due to any failure of it or its individual 
cells.
    7. Be capable of automatically controlling the charge rate of each 
cell to prevent cell imbalance, back-charging, overcharging, 
overheating, and uncontrollable temperature and pressure.
    8. Have a means to be automatically disconnected from its charging 
source in the event of an over-temperature condition, cell failure, or 
battery failure.
    9. Have a failure sensing and warning system to alert the 
flightcrew if its failure affects safe operation of the airplane.
    10. If its function is required for safe operation of the airplane, 
have a monitoring and warning feature that alerts the flightcrew when 
its charge state falls below acceptable levels.

    Note 1:  A battery system consists of the battery, battery 
charger, and any protective, monitoring, and alerting circuitry or 
hardware inside or outside of the battery. It also includes vents 
(where necessary) and packaging. For the purpose of these special 
conditions, a battery and battery system are referred to as a 
battery.


    Note 2:  These special conditions apply to all rechargeable 
lithium-battery installations in lieu of Sec.  25.1353(c)(1) through 
(c)(4) at Amendment 25-0 (Model 650) and Amendment 25-42 (Model 
800A).


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 9, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12381 Filed 6-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P